No-flip, no-drip container

Abstract

A disposable oil can having displacable tab portions on the top and bottom lids, with a connecting rod lodged between the tabs. According to this arrangement, the oil can can be opened manually by pressing downwardly on the upper tab portion to cause the lower tab portion to open for drainage directly into the crankcase of an automobile without utilizing a pour spout. In an alternate embodiment, the upper pre-scored tab portion opens upwardly, and the lower pre-scored tab portion opens downwardly. A pivot bar is attached to the lower tab portion and is coupled to the upper tab portion so that upward movement of the upper tab causes downward rotation of the lower tab portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A disposable container assembly comprising a container body formed by a cylindrical sidewall member having opposite ends which are sealed along a rim by first and second lid members, said first and second lid members having first and second tab portions defined by curved score lines, and a rigid connecting rod disposed within the interior of said container and coupled between said first and second tab members whereby an inwardly directed force applied to one of said tab members causes the tab member to separate from said lid and rotate inwardly, and the other tab member to separate away from said lid and rotate outwardly. 
     
     
       2. The container assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein one end of said connecting rod is intersected by an axial bore, and a plunger rod segment is received for axial displacement within said bore and is lodged in frictional engagement with the sidewall of said bore. 
     
     
       3. A disposable container assembly comprising a container body formed by a cylindrical sidewall member having opposite ends which are sealed along a rim by first and second lid members, said first and second lid members having first and second tab closure members defined by curved score lines, including a pivot bar received within the interior of said container assembly and having one end portion bonded to one of said tab closure members, and including a pull tab attached to the exterior surface of the other tab closure member, and a connecting member received within the interior of said container assembly and interconnecting the opposite end of said pivot bar with the closure tab member to which the pull tab is attached.